James Spann: Warmer days ahead for Alabama; some rain by Friday

PLEASANT NOVEMBER DAY: The sky is sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures in the 68–76-degree range. Tonight will be mostly fair with lows in the 40s and 50s.

Temperatures warm up through mid-week … highs will be in the 78–82-degree range by Wednesday and Thursday, not far from record levels for mid to late November. At this point the weather looks dry through Thursday.

RAIN RETURNS: Clouds increase Friday, and we will mention a chance of showers statewide Friday afternoon and Friday night ahead of a cold front. With weak dynamics, poor lapse rates and meager instability, we do not expect severe storms, and rain amounts should be light. A few lingering showers are possible Saturday morning, but at this point Saturday afternoon and Sunday are looking generally rain-free with only a few small, isolated showers.

The weekend will be cooler with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s for most places.

THANKSGIVING WEEK: For now we are expecting highs mostly in the 60s, lows in the 40s and 50s through the week. The pattern becomes active; the reliable European global model suggests some risk of showers Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day. Colder air invades the Deep South the following weekend (November 29-30).

But understand there is little skill in a specific forecast this far out; we will have much better clarity on Thanksgiving weather late this week. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin; hurricane season ends in two weeks.

ON THIS DATE IN 1957: Just after noon, tornadoes started touching down in eastern Mississippi. Two people were killed by a strong tornado that cut a 15-mile path near Macon, Mississippi. State Police were tracking the tornadoes and relayed reports ahead to Alabama.

A little after 3 p.m., a violent tornado touched down 6 miles northwest of Jasper. Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Bradford had just built a new home there. The ranch home was blown 150 feet and smashed to bits. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter were killed. One other person was killed along the short 5-mile path that carried it near Saragossa and Manchester.

Just another reminder that tornadoes in Alabama in November are nothing new. Our tornado season runs from November through May.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.